Bernardelli
 

My great, happy purchase from the recent RIA auction finally arrived, a 20 gauge Vincenzo Bernardelli Roma 6, two barrel set. I’ve been looking for a really nice small bore and decided to make the leap on this gun. It’s the nicest double I’ve yet purchased. Made in 1963, it came with a 25 3/4 set of chrome lined barrels in, according to my gauge, cyl/mod with a brass mid bead and white plastic end bead, and 27 3/4 chrome lined barrels, IC/IM with a single brass bead. Both barrel sets have a solid, raised, filed rib. Barrels are numbered to the gun and have a I and II in gold. Single, selective trigger, automatic ejectors. Gun is in near new condition, gorgeous deep blue on the barrels, with a few minor dings in the wood finish, likely from hunting. It has a strait grip and LOP 14 1/4 to end of decelerator pad. Barrel flats, action flats and forend latch are jeweled. The beaver tail forend comes to a sort of odd point, not unattractive but not something I’ve seen before. Wood is very nice dark streaked walnut. Action, sideplates and underneath extensively engraved. There are no import marks on the gun.

This shotgun was obviously someone’s pride and joy, and now mine, and he chose to case it in a spectacular CSMC oak and leather case with accessories including a two-piece rosewood cleaning rod, fit into its own compartment under the shorter barrels, and attachments still new in the plastic in their leather case. Also included is an oil bottle, a pair of snap caps marked ”Purdey London” and another set of new chromed snap caps.

I’m overall very pleased with the purchase and can’t wait to get on the clays course and in the field. This was my first purchase through RIA and I was quite impressed. They described the gun well and over delivered, very professional in terms of handling the logistics of payment and shipping, the packaging was amazing. Gun and case boxed separately, then into a larger box, proper packing material. For a higher end gun purchase, I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again. But, my wife may kill me so this is my last for the year:)

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I was living in Italy 46 years ago and purchased a Bernardelli Brescia, a 20 gauge hammer gun. This was a handy little shotgun, though very plane. I shot everything with it from skeet to mountain pheasant. Sadly it and a very nice Flli Rizzini were stolen from my London Flat while I was visiting the 76 Olympics in Innsbruck. I really miss the little Brescia and hope you have much fun with your Roma.

Bernadelli built a lot of custom SxS’s in the 60’s and early 70’s. Yours is a beauty. I remember getting the literature from a gentleman in Miami (Knight)in the mid 60’s. You could order your hearts desire for not a lot of money. Being a college student at the time all I could do was dream. Back then it was not required to stamp the guns with importation information. Another maker back then was Spanish. Eusebio Arizaga! They offered the same custom gun building and Jack O’Connor had a beautiful 28 bore made up that he wrote about frequently in Oitdoor Life. For $400 you could build a spectacular gun. Ok. I’m rambling. Congrats on your fine purchase. Shoot it was n good health. Merry Xmas.

Thanks, gents! I am very happy with it. I can imagine how they sold a whole lot of these guns. Very high quality, Italian made for a far less than an English shotgun. The fit and finish is just amazing. I’m sorry about the theft of those two guns. I can only imagine how you felt. Hopefully, this gun will serve me well and bring home a lot of upland birds, and maybe an occasional duck.

Beautiful!!

I'm still kicking myself for not buying a Roma 6 Grand Luso two barrel set in 410/28 gauge that the importer wanted $1800.00 for way back when.

Enjoy your find.

[QUOTE=But, my wife may kill me so this is my last for the year:)[/QUOTE]

I caught that Joe. You have a whole 12 days to go. Hang in there man, you can do it ! Nice gun BTW. Merry Christmas to Joe !